England turns to Jermain Defoe amid striker injury woes

LONDON (AP) — Jermain Defoe was recalled to the England squad at the age of 34 on Thursday, more than three years after last playing for the national team. The Sunderland striker is among 26 players selected for England's upcoming matches after captain Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Harry Kane were ruled out because of injury. Defoe has scored 19 goals in 55 England appearances but last played in 2013. Although Sunderland is last in the Premier League, Defoe has 14 goals from 27 appearances.

"Year after year he's phenomenal, but this year in particular, in a team that aren't creating as many chances as other teams, his strike rate is outstanding," England coach Gareth Southgate said ahead of games against Germany and Lithuania. "I didn't want to just look at his age and think he's finished with England. He's somebody that is immensely proud to have represented England at every age group. I think you get young players with a point to prove and older players with a point to prove."